A structure is subjected to progressive collapse when an element fails, resulting in failure of adjoining structural elements which, in their turn, cause further structural failure leading eventually to partial or total collapse. The failure of a primary vertical support might occur due to extreme loadings such as bomb explosion in a terrorist attack, gas explosion and huge impact of a car in the parking area. Different guidelines such as the General Services Administration (GSA 2003) and the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC 2009) addressed the structural progressive collapse due to the sudden loss of a main vertical support. In the current study, a progressive collapse assessment according to the UFC guidelines is carried out for a typical ten-story reinforced concrete framed structure designed according to codes [(ACI 318-08) and (ASCE 7-10)] for minimum design loads for buildings and other structures. Fully nonlinear dynamic analysis for the structure was carried out using Applied Element Method (AEM). The investigated cases included the removal of a corner column, an edge column, an edge shear wall, internal columns and internal shear wall. The numerical analysis showed that simplification of the problem into 3D bare frames would lead to uneconomical design. It was found for the studied case that, the infilled masonry walls have a valuable contribution in mitigating progressive collapse of the reinforced concrete framed structures. Neglecting these walls would lead to uneconomical design.

Several existing reinforced concrete structures (RC) require improvement in performance for reasons of deterioration. This is due to many factors such as the change in code requirements. The current study was assisted by experimental models to investigate the behavior of RC slabs strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates and sheets. Seven RC slabs strengthened with CFRP (laminates and sheets) were tested. The slabs were divided into four groups. The first phase includes one slab without strengthening (reference slab), the second phase includes one slab strengthened with CFRP laminates, and the third phase includes one slab strengthened with CFRP sheets. The fourth phase includes four slabs strengthened with different areas of sheets. The major test parameters included the different types of strengthening materials and the corresponding types of epoxies used for each type of CFRP. A comparison between the two types of CFRP was conducted. The load deflection, load strain and mode of failure were investigated. Test results demonstrated that the flexural strength increased, and the ductility reduced with the increase in the area of CFRP sheets. for almost equivalent applied area, CFRP Sheets has more significant influence on the behavior of the strengthened slabs than laminates. Strengthening of RC slabs with CFRP improves the flexural strength capacity for both types. For the same CFRP strength, the sheets showed a cost reduction of 70%. The difference is attributed to the difference in the mechanical properties and the bonding quality of the CFRP material